Pats' Brady not seen in locker room before practice

FOXBORO — For the second consecutive day, Patriots quarterback Tom Brady wasn't in the locker room or at practice when reporters and cameramen were allowed inside Friday.

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

FOXBORO — For the second consecutive day, Patriots quarterback Tom Brady wasn't in the locker room or at practice when reporters and cameramen were allowed inside yesterday.

During the 45-minute period in the locker room, several cameramen lingered near his locker, but he didn't show up. Nor was he there for the first 12 minutes of practice that the media were allowed to watch.

New England coach Bill Belichick said reporters would be informed after practice if Brady participated. There was no word after it ended, and calls to the Patriots were not immediately returned.

Brady was photographed in New York on Monday wearing a protective boot on his right foot. He took it off later in the day and hasn't been photographed wearing it since. He reportedly has a minor high ankle sprain that isn't expected to keep him out of the Super Bowl against the New York Giants on Feb. 3.

Brady wasn't seen during the first 15 minutes of Thursday's workout to which media were admitted, nor in the locker room.

As Belichick was asked yesterday to compare the current trip to the Super Bowl to the other three the team has played in, vice president of media relations Stacey James said, "Final question."

One reporter tried to squeeze in another, asking if Belichick could say what Brady did or didn't do on Thursday, the Patriots' first day of practice after a three-day break.

"Was that the last question?" Belichick said, smiling as he turned toward James.

"That was the last question," James replied.

With that, Belichick walked from the podium and out of the room.

About 90 minutes later, Belichick started practice in the team's indoor facility, watching the players stretch and stopping to talk to linebacker Junior Seau for several minutes. Safety Rodney Harrison, who was not seen at the beginning of practice on Thursday, was there yesterday while reporters were allowed to observe.

But Brady was missing.

When drills began and receivers ran pass routes, it was backup Matt Cassel throwing to Randy Moss and No. 3 quarterback Matt Gutierrez passing the ball to Wes Welker.